Vitiligo Phototherapy | Top 10 Common Problems

                                                                                Vitiligo Phototherapy | Top 10 Common Problems

1.What is the difference between sun exposure and ultraviolet phototherapy for vitiligo patients?

The spectrum of sunlight and ultraviolet phototherapy is different. The spectrum of ultraviolet phototherapy is a narrow band of medium wave ultraviolet with a peak around 308nm, which is the best band for treating vitiligo; The spectrum in sunlight is relatively complex, and some of the light waves may even induce or worsen vitiligo.

2.How to convert between dosage and time? 

Joule is a unit of light dose, where the light dose (mJ/cm2) equals the intensity of the phototherapy device (mW/cm2) multiplied by the irradiation time (s). The intensity of the phototherapy device will be marked on the body. For example, if a patient requires a light dose of 500mJ/cm ² and the phototherapy device used has a power of 16mW/cm ², the required time is 500 ÷ 16 ≈ 31 seconds

3.Is it better to have a higher dose of phototherapy exposure? 

Not so, the dosage of phototherapy is not necessarily the higher the better, but rather the most appropriate dosage should be selected based on the individual situation of the patient. If the dosage is too high, it may also induce problems such as rough skin and skin photoaging. The general principle is that patients can determine the effectiveness of phototherapy based on whether there is just visible erythema after phototherapy. If there is no erythema, the pigment islands usually cannot come out, and the treatment goal cannot be achieved.

4.Is there a limit to the number of phototherapy sessions? 

At present, there is no upper limit on the total number of times phototherapy is used in clinical observations. The single dose of phototherapy has an upper limit, and when it reaches the maximum single dose, it cannot be increased further. Sometimes, no matter how many times the maximum dose is irradiated, some special skin lesions are difficult to improve. In this case, it is recommended to pause for 2-3 months and restart phototherapy. If there is still no effect, switch to other treatment methods.

5.Can vitiligo be cured solely by phototherapy?

There is a possibility of treating vitiligo with phototherapy alone, and many patients have seen it before. However, it is not recommended to simply receive phototherapy because the treatment process for vitiligo is long and patients are very anxious. If conditions permit, it is recommended to use a combination of phototherapy and phototherapy, which complement each other and work together in synergy.